Magnetic Sliding Support for Refrigeration Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding door systems in refrigerating counters or rooms are cumbersome, expensive, and difficult to use due to their weight, requiring complex guiding systems and often result in accidental slamming and rapid wear of locking/return devices.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic flux-based supporting device with a variable cross-section element that generates a magnetic return force to facilitate easy sliding and locking of doors, using a channel with a uniform magnetic field and reactive elements to maintain equilibrium and oppose weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If heavy doors are mounted on horizontal sliding systems to minimize overall dimensions and avoid hinges, then the door structure becomes more compact, but the guiding systems become complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical guiding systems with a magnetic field-based support mechanism. Magnets embedded in the door interact with a magnetic track to provide both support and guidance, eliminating the need for traditional mechanical rollers, rails, and adjustment mechanisms while maintaining stable horizontal sliding motion.
2Ease of operation
If counterweights are added to assist heavy door movement, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical counterweight systems with magnetic interaction forces. The magnetic field between embedded magnets and the magnetic track provides the necessary support force to counteract door weight, enabling easy operation without adding complex counterweight mechanisms.
3Loss of energy
If magnetic blocking means are used to prevent accidental opening, then thermal efficiency improves, but the force required to unlock increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic latch mechanism as an intermediary between the door and frame. Weak permanent magnets create a gentle holding force that prevents accidental opening while maintaining thermal efficiency, allowing easy manual release without requiring vigorous pulling forces.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If damping devices are introduced to prevent door slamming, then damage to the counter is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical damping devices with magnetic braking forces. As the door approaches the closed position, magnetic interaction between embedded magnets and the magnetic track creates a natural deceleration effect, preventing slamming without adding complex dampers or shock-absorbing mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides a reliable, easy-to-build solution for slidingly supporting and moving heavy doors, reducing the need for complex guiding systems and minimizing wear, while ensuring smooth operation and safety by utilizing magnetic forces to maintain the door in a closed position.
Implementation Method 1
a generator of, or means for generating a, magnetic flux for creating a magnetic flux that crosses a segment of the empty channel with magnetic field lines having all the same direction
Implementation Method 2
The variation along the axis of the cross-section size... of the first element induces a magnetic return force between the first element and the magnetic field lines present in the channel segment
Implementation Method 3
The cross-section of the first element along the axis can be shaped so that it creates a magnetic return force tending to bring the first element and the channel back in a certain relative position... corresponding to the configuration with minimum reluctance
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~3
AI summary
A supporting device (MC) is described to slidingly support, and linearly move along an axis (X), an object such as e.g. a leaf. A magnetic return force generated by the cooperation of a magnetic flux generator (54, 56) and an element (10) reactive to the magnetic field, develops. The element is able to slide relative to the axis (X) during the movement of the object, and has a cross-section (62) which, seen in a plane orthogonal to the axis (X), has a width that varies along the length of the first element (10) parallelly to said axis (X).